There’s something enchanting about winter in the Midwest.
The crispness in the air, the lights strung across sleepy downtowns, the promise of cocoa or cocktails by a roaring fire.
And while Illinois may not have the pine-covered peaks of Colorado or the snowy promenades of Bavaria, it makes up for it with its own brand of holiday magic—especially if you know where to look.
The only thing better than a holiday adventure is taking one in something that feels like a holiday gift itself. Enter the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC, a refined and road-hungry luxury SUV with comfort, tech, and a bit of flair tucked into every curve.
Whether you’re heading to a tree farm with hot cider or an upscale boutique hotel trimmed in twinkling lights, the GLC makes each mile smoother and more festive. With Loeber Motors just outside of Chicago in Lincolnwood, you’re perfectly positioned to explore the area’s most spirited stops—all while basking in heated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and next-gen Mercedes-Benz performance.
Here are five charming holiday destinations near Loeber that are made even better when you arrive in your GLC.
Downtown Long Grove – Horse-Drawn Carriages and Holiday Nostalgia
About a 40-minute drive from Loeber, the village of Long Grove becomes a living snow globe come December. With cobblestone streets, locally owned sweet shops, and Victorian-style lanterns glowing with seasonal charm, it’s the kind of place where holiday spirit isn’t just a theme—it’s a full-on aesthetic.
Park your GLC near Fountain Square and step into an afternoon of warm gingerbread cookies, artisan shopping, and horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic district. Long Grove’s Christmas Pop-Up Market sells everything from cinnamon-scented candles to hand-knit scarves, and the GLC’s spacious cargo area means you don’t need to worry about how to get everything home.
Even better, the drive itself is beautiful. Cruising along Route 83 with the GLC’s intelligent navigation system guiding you past frosted meadows and quiet lakes feels like a holiday postcard in motion. The heated steering wheel and THERMATIC dual-zone climate control keep the cabin cozy, even when snowflakes start to fall.
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The Morton Arboretum Illumination – Trees, Light, and Mercedes-Level Magic
One of the most beloved holiday experiences in Chicagoland is the Illumination light show at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Less than an hour from Loeber Motors, this immersive forest walk-through features miles of trees glowing with color-shifting LEDs, pulsing in time to music. It’s otherworldly, romantic, and a genuine winter wonderland.
Arriving in the GLC sets the tone. Its striking LED Digital Light headlamps cut through the dusk with crystalline precision, while the coupe-like silhouette feels urban and sophisticated—even as you park beneath a canopy of light-strung oaks. After a brisk walk through Illumination (with optional hot cocoa or mulled wine), you’ll be grateful for the GLC’s power front seats with memory and massage functionality. There’s nothing quite like sliding into a driver’s seat that remembers you after you’ve been wandering under 30-degree skies.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin – Small-Town Luxury, One State Away
Sometimes a holiday escape requires, well, escape. Just 90 minutes from Lincolnwood, Lake Geneva offers a postcard-worthy getaway full of upscale charm. Grand Geneva Resort pulls out all the stops this time of year, with nightly light displays, ornament-making workshops, and a skating rink framed by evergreens and soft jazz echoing from the lodge. It’s a wintery boutique escape made even more stylish with the GLC.
You’ll appreciate the SUV’s 4MATIC® all-wheel drive system as you navigate curving rural highways that may be icy or dusted with snow. The GLC’s traction is immediate but graceful, never bulky. Once in Lake Geneva, your SUV feels right at home valet-side, where its elegant body lines and gloss black accents contrast beautifully against the resort’s festive décor. Load your weekend bag, an armful of wrapped gifts, and a bottle of prosecco into the rear—and settle in. This is luxury travel, Mercedes-style.
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Winnetka’s Village Green – A Quiet, Classy Winter Walk
Closer to home but no less magical, Winnetka’s Village Green becomes a calm, upscale spot to pause the holiday chaos. Just a 15-minute drive from Loeber Motors, this stately suburb offers refined storefronts and historic homes decorated with classic white lights and green garlands. It’s not flashy—it’s understated. And that’s precisely what makes it feel so lovely.
Pop into Hometown Coffee & Juice for a cinnamon oat latte and then stroll the Green as soft music spills from nearby shopfronts. Bring your dog, bring your partner, bring a warm scarf. It’s the kind of hour that recalibrates everything. And when you return to your GLC, it welcomes you like a warm hug. Ambient lighting glows softly inside, while Apple CarPlay® queues up your next playlist. Even a short drive can feel restorative when you’re driving a machine this refined.
Christkindlmarket in Wrigleyville – Holiday Energy, City Style
For a more bustling, twinkling, mulled-wine-by-the-stein kind of vibe, head into the city to Wrigleyville’s Christkindlmarket, just 25 minutes from Loeber. This bustling outdoor German holiday market is packed with handmade ornaments, Bavarian eats, bratwurst, and loud cheerful laughter. Park your GLC in one of the nearby garages, and walk into the heart of urban festivity.
And here’s where the GLC truly flexes: it’s compact enough to handle tight city parking, but luxurious enough to compete with anything else on the streets of Chicago. With PARKTRONIC active parking assist, you’ll slide into a spot like a pro. After a few hours of high-energy cheer, you’ll sink back into the GLC’s cabin, close the soft-close doors, and enjoy the contrast of silent, high-tech calm. Drive home with snow-dusted windows and the scent of roasted chestnuts still in the air.
Features and Specs That Make the 2026 GLC Holiday-Ready
- Turbocharged four-cylinder engine with mild hybrid drive. Enjoy 255 hp and improved fuel economy with added torque for quick acceleration on longer hauls to Wisconsin or Indiana.
- 4MATIC® all-wheel drive. Seamless grip and intelligent torque distribution for safety and handling on icy or wet roads.
- MBUX infotainment system with voice activation. Talk to your vehicle like a co-pilot—set destinations, adjust climate, or call your mom with just a command.
- Panoramic sunroof. Bask in gray-sky daylight or stargaze from the cabin during evening drives home from holiday events.
- Heated front seats and available heated rear seats. Ensure everyone stays cozy after tree lighting ceremonies or snowball fights.
- Dual-zone automatic climate control. Keep the cabin balanced even as temperatures fluctuate outside.
- Ambient interior lighting with color themes. Set the holiday mood with interior glow tones that match your energy—or your outfit.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto®. Keep your holiday playlists flowing and maps in sight without the cord clutter.
- Advanced driver assistance features. Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping, and Adaptive Cruise Control help keep you safe on long family drives.
- Hands-free access liftgate. Perfect for loading armfuls of gifts, groceries, or winter gear.
From quiet historic town greens to German-style Christmas markets, the greater Chicago area is overflowing with holiday magic—and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC is the perfect sleigh for all of it. It’s luxurious without being flashy, powerful without being loud, and smart enough to make every journey smoother, safer, and more fun.
Ready to unwrap something truly joyful this season? Visit Loeber Motors to explore their available 2026 GLC models and take one for a holiday test drive. Whether you’re running errands in Evanston or escaping to Lake Geneva, this is the SUV that turns December into something cinematic.
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